Potties, Panties, and IKEA (?)...oh my!

Maliana ~

Wow girlfriend ~ You are doing just super on the potty lately! This has been a huge week of toilet training firsts for you! On Wednesday I picked you up at school and Miss Amy told me you peed on the potty for her! I was surprised, very impressed, and so proud of you! I took you to Target after your nap and we picked out big girl underwear. You chose Ni Hao Kai Lan all by yourself. I hope that these undies will be more incentive for you to keep this up. The rest of the week, you have been using the potty at least once (sometimes more) a day (even using the potty another time at school too!) What is truly amazing to me is that you are basically potty training yourself! You are so smart, I am pretty much letting you take the lead with this one and you're doing awesome! Not necessarily staying dry in between potty uses, however progress is progress and it's so cool.

Daddy also did your hair for the first time ever for school on Thursday and it looked pretty good! He texted me on his way to work saying it did take him a half hour to get one ponytail in, but hey - he did it and you both survived! Way to go Daddy, right?!

When I pick you up from school lately, you have enjoyed walking yourself out of the building (little Miss Grown Up), saying goodbye to every kid we pass (little Miss Friendly). So, as we walked out on Thursday, there was a little girl settling down on her cot, right by the door, who is normally on your list of goodbyes. As we passed by, she wanted to give you a hug, so you dropped your silkie and ran over to her, both of you embracing each other like long lost friends. It was hilarious! It was almost like a flash forward to you as a teenager, seeing a girlfriend at a high school football game, hugging and squealing at each other. You are such an adorably funny kid. I love it!

After school on Thursday, Audrey and I took you to the zoo and it was a ton of fun. On the way there and back, you made us play "Hey Soul Sister" by Train (over and over and over again) and sung along so sweetly. Cracked us up! You love that song and I love listening to you sing!

On Friday you and I hit the pool because the heat was nearly unbearable! You are a little pro in the water - still crazy as ever and still going under water. Those swimming lessons really worked wonders! After that, you, Daddy, and I hit 4th Fridays in Westerville. It was nice to spend time together as a family, visiting the stores, running into friends, and listening to the various music/bands. We pretty much closed it down and there was a wonderful moment towards the end, when it was all dark and we were finishing up our ice cream and ready to head home, that I just have to describe. We were at an ice cream shop, sitting outside, the karaoke music was still playing and Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" was on...and in the middle of this warm summer night, under the streetlights and moonlight, I watched you and Daddy slow dancing together. It was another one of those moments that I want to keep forever. Of course, I cried a bit, (because, as you will learn, Mama is a crier.) But, generally, my tears are happy tears. Just so thankful for you.

On Saturday we headed to IKEA in Cincinnati with Shawn and Jen (Niubei's parents). It was a fun trip and you were such a trooper with all of the driving! You broke in their car seat too, so it's all ready for little Niubei. Also, in keeping with your potty theme this week, we were looking at the potty chairs they had at IKEA, however I wasn't quite sure what they were at first glance. When I finally figured it out, and told you, you proceeded to hike up your dress in the middle of the aisle and "go for it!" Yikes! After a good laugh by all of us, plus some woman and her family that happened to be walking by, we stopped you and explained that we should probably just pretend to potty on this particular chair. It was so funny! Along with that silliness, all four of us had a ton more silliness with you, (you absolutely adore Shawn and Jen!) Then, once home, Dad and I kept playing with you all the way up until bed time and you were so worn out, squealing and giggling so much all day long, that you had nearly lost your voice by lights out. Now that's some serious fun you had! So far, you're doing an excellent job of being a kid! I love that we all get to share it with you.

Love,
Mama


our family @ 4th Fridays in Westerville on the cool double glider swing!

Getting closer to the big "P" - Potty Training!!

Maliana ~

Well, I just put you down for your nap and while we were cuddling, you shot up and said "diaper" and begun taking it off. I thought you were wet, but when I looked, it was dry as a bone. I asked if you had to go potty, and you said yes. I thought it could have been another stall tactic, however when a toddler says they want to potty, who am I to say no, right?

So, we got up and headed into the bathroom. You wanted to use the big potty with your seat and stool, so we got it all out and lo and behold, you peed!! I was so excited!! You have been using the potty very sporadically in the past several months, but this time you actually had a very keen awareness of having to go potty before you actually did it. I couldn't have been more proud, and I told you so repeatedly, which made you even more proud of yourself! Such a cool moment!!

Way to go kiddo!!
Love,
Mama

Family Day Party

Maliana ~ Happy First Annual Family Day Party!!

We just got finished wrapping up a celebration of the first anniversary of your homecoming to our family on July 16th. We are going to call it Family Day as that's what this joyous occasion is all about - being together to celebrate each other (and of course, YOU!)

We had a hodgepodge of food, all items that you like - sweet and sour meatballs, homemade macaroni and cheese, creamy corn salad, and brown sugar glazed baby carrots. I had never made any of these recipes for you (from scratch) before, so I was relieved when you liked it all!

Everyone had a great time and was so happy to see you and celebrate your first year here. And, I tell you one thing, you sure do party HARD! You party so hard that you fell fast asleep in my arms, no more than 15 minutes after the last guest left - at 6pm!

Here are some of my favorite shots of the festivities...


With cousins Joey and Alex











With cousin Sammy









Photo cake, saying "You've come a long way, baby. Happy Family Day!" The top two pictures were supposed to be reversed, but that's ok. It still looks good. The top right is one of you from the orphanage, the top left is all of us on Gotcha Day with the orphanage director, and the bottom one is obvious - our family!


You loved looking at your photo cake - insisting on only eating the icing with pictures on it. Unfortunately, you poked in one of the photos of your face, however it still tasted super yummy and that was the piece that you wanted anyway!



My two favorite people in the world!





With Ggma











This picture was pretty difficult to get, but I sure am glad we tried as it turned out great! It was taken with a timer on the camera, balancing precariously at just the right angle on our deck, then I had to run QUICKLY down the sloped backyard, skidding in sideways next to you and Dad (Papaw even had to slow me down by sticking out his arm and grabbing me when I got to the group!) So, if you notice that you are the only one in the picture not looking at the camera, it's because you are looking over at me and wondering why the heck I was running like a bat out of hell down the hill at you. Ha ha!

While I was so busy with getting things ready and then tending to the party, I barely had to time to relax and enjoy everything. However, I am so thankful that everyone had a wonderful time together, and most importantly that every time I checked on you, you were running around, giggling, playing, and enjoying spending time with each and every member of your family. That's what this whole thing was all about anyway.

Love you kid,
Mama

Happy Homecoming!

Happy first anniversary of the day we touched down in America, as a family! Here you are posing with a photo snapped just before we climbed aboard the airplane in Guangzhou, headed for Shanghai. The first of three legs of travel, (#2 Shanghai to Chicago and #3 Chicago to Columbus).


















Here you are studying the photo as I recounted the story of our airplane adventure to you. You seemed very interested and fascinated that you have actually been in an airplane way up high in the sky. You also looked at the photo and then said "me, sleep". Wow - do you remember sleeping on me on the airplane? Very cool.

Anyway, happy anniversary baby. I can't wait until your Family Day party on Sunday! I don't think I've ever had more celebrations or parties for one person in my life, but I couldn't think of a better kid to celebrate!

Love,
Mama

What a week, and it's only Thursday night!

Maliana ~

I absolutely love nights like tonight. You had had such a good day, slaphappy enough tonight to be giggling and belly laughing at the simplest things. One of those nights where you are so tired but just can't stop having fun. Your laugh, the deep laugh of a happy child, is music to my ears.

The day started with a terrific drop off at school. Dad said you got down and wanted to walk in all by yourself. The kids from the different rooms all wanted to say hi and flocked around you, actually so much so that Miss Marie had to scoop and push them away so you could get to your table for breakfast. You are quite the little celebrity! You looked at Dad, said “be right back”, and then settled right in to eat breakfast, without a second thought. Then pick up went just as smooth for me this afternoon. You are getting to be such a big girl. And of course, as usual, a lot of the kids (and teachers) all said bye to you on the way out as well. So cute!

You and I went to lunch with Audrey at Red Robin today, then back to the house for a nap and playtime before swim lessons. You got sad when Audrey had to leave, first time ever of actually saying, “sad, cry”, when someone was leaving. I love that you are able to voice your feelings already. You perked up though when we told you that Lao Lao was coming to watch you in your last swim lesson class. And oh boy, what a class!

You have come a LONG way since that first lesson. You are a champ at going under water, paddling your arms and kicking your legs (although not always at the same time), and just generally getting a lot more comfortable in the water. It is awesome to see you progress. Tonight was the big finale and we all went off the DIVING BOARD! I was terrified and Tuesday when they told us what we were doing tonight, I thought they were joking. I told Dad, “The hell she is! I'm not letting her go off the diving board, that’s ridiculous!” But tonight, when I saw how they were doing it, it seemed ok. But, I was still pretty scared. Dad got in the water with the swim instructor and I walked you to the end of the board. You were so excited, bouncing up and down, hardly able to contain yourself until we reached the end to jump off. I lowered you down to Dad the first time and you did GREAT! Multiple more times later and you actually jumped! You are a kamikaze kid! After a while you became disenchanted with it, but mostly because I thought you were tired, not at all because of being scared. Man, I think we have a little daredevil on our hands! Lao Lao said that that first time you went off the board, the people next to her watching were whispering, “Oh my, she’s just so small!” (Ha, I thought. Don’t let her size fool you – she’s a pistol!) Anyway, I couldn’t have been prouder of you. I know I couldn’t do that at your age, you are such the brave little trooper – who would have guessed that just a short year ago tomorrow we were about to board a plane to fly home with you from China? Amazing, isn’t it? You’ve come so far, literally and figuratively.

Lao Lao took you out for dinner and playground time after the swim lesson, which you loved as well. You had a great time with her, which brings me back to how slaphappy and full of joy you were at bedtime tonight. Awesomely hysterical!

And so, here are some more quick snippets of your cuteness from the week. Evidently, we are now entering the territory of “monster drama” – your imagination is in full swing now. You informed me on Tuesday that there are monsters in our laundry room and have begun to be very dramatic about clinging to me and pretending to be scared. It is pretty funny, and so cool to see your creativity and imagination developing. Then Wednesday, as we got in our hot car after grocery shopping, I noticed you holding your mouth very close to your car seat but I couldn’t quite tell what you were doing. As I finished putting the groceries in the back, I finally realized what you had been doing. The car and carseat were so hot and I realized you had been blowing on them, the same way we blow on your food when it’s too hot. Ha ha! I must admit, it makes perfect sense (in that two year old thought process kind of way). You are so funny. And really beginning to be more independent now too. For instance, you keep insisting on putting on and taking off your own clothes and diaper now, at least, trying your best anyway. It is pretty fun to watch you try to figure it out, and you get darn close too. You did put on your shoes by yourself, and nearly put your bathing suit on your own too! Only one little nipple and butt cheek hanging out – not too shabby for a first try! The only thing that is tricky sometimes is when you won’t wait for me to get wipes ready before you start peeling off your diaper. It’s ok unless you’ve got some poop in there – yikes! Mama’s got to be a bit faster on the draw with those diapers!

Anyway, off to bed now. I am so exhausted, as were you. Tomorrow is the first anniversary of your homecoming to America. Hard to believe it's been that long already, huh? What a wild and wonderful year.

Love you sweetie,
Mama






























P.S.
I wish we could have gotten a shot of you flailing around in mid-air, but alas, each drop happened so fast, this is all we could capture. C'est la vie. I'm sure there will be plenty more opportunities to capture you in mid-air in the coming days, months, years...given how much you LOVE to swim!

You are my favorite entertainment...

Maliana ~

Lately, I have been thoroughly enjoying watching and listening to you. Your little mind is fascinating to me. You have been putting more and more words together lately and seem to always have a story about something, sometimes we understand and sometimes we don’t, but it’s always interesting. As simple a phrase as “heavy boots”, “Dad’s car” or “more oatmeal” is exciting for me, and even more when you say something like, “I love you Abby, be right back” as we leave the house. Every time you do something new, it’s a reminder of how far you’ve come in such a short time. It never ceases to amaze me. I guess that’s what being a parent is all about.

You had Dad and I laughing this weekend too (as usual). On Saturday, Dad and I were discussing the grocery list for the upcoming week. All of a sudden, you grabbed a pad of paper and a pen and began “writing down” all of the grocery items. So, we began telling you what we needed. We’d look at you and say, “ooh, diapers!” and you’d say “Oh!” and furiously “write” it down on your paper. The more you liked something (e.g. ice cream, popsicles, etc), the crazier you would get and more animated you would be in adding it to the list. It was hysterical! Then, on Sunday, I had woken up with a really stiff and sore neck. You began jumping on me and insisting that I get you your oatmeal, however I was in a lot of pain. Dad kept trying to explain this to you, but it was a bit hard for you to understand why I couldn’t just get up like normal. Finally, something must have clicked because you ran into your room and got your doctor’s kit, brought it back in, and proceeded to “work on me”. It was actually pretty painful, however I couldn’t help but smile as the sentiment was really sweet. Your heart was in the right place, (even if your body was bouncing up and down on my chest ~ ouch!)

We had Gotcha Day pictures formally done wearing the matching traditional Chinese outfits we bought in China on Sunday morning too. They turned out very good and I cannot wait to get them picked up…all of this in spite of having a difficult morning (to say the least). You already know that my neck was stiff, and for some reason you had picked this morning to get up at 6am (instead of your usual 8am). Then, you were trying to help us get ready and instead spread baby powder all over the bathroom. You fell asleep on the way to the portrait studio and we had to wake you up so you were still tired and grumpy once the session started. The rubber bands for your hair kept popping whenever I would try to fix your ponytails at the studio, (but, luckily the last two finally worked ~ whew). Then you only would cooperate with about 9 out of 30 shots we were supposed to have done that day. Talk about one thing after another this morning! We did it though and it all turned out fine. The day got better after we changed clothes and had lunch at Noodles & Co. (guess who picked that place!) You loved your penne rosa with spinach, tomatoes, and mushrooms (mushrooms are your new favorite food). Then, the three hour nap later in the afternoon did us all wonders, it was the perfect medicine.

Along with the above craziness that is our life, we went to a wonderful cookout with friends (both couples going to pick up their daughters in China this month and next), as well as some late night ice cream with Shawn and Jen (Niubei’s parents) on Sunday, which rounded out a terrific weekend. We are so fortunate to have you in our lives making every day an adventure, but also to have begun some truly beautiful friendships through our experiences with adoption. We are blessed.

Love,
Mama

You have one sensitive little girl...

So Maliana ~

I got a call from your dad this morning with an interesting story about you. As usual, he was getting ready for work while you ate a bowl of oatmeal and watched the Disney Channel, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, before going to school. This particular morning, the episode was about how the gang was babysitting a puppy and Pluto kept trying to help out, however was doing more harm than good and was getting in the way. They kept yelling at him and eventually he felt really left out as everyone was paying attention to the puppy and not him.

After it was over, Dad asked you if you were all ready for school. When he looked over, you had huge tears welling up in your eyes. You weren’t exactly sobbing, but the tears were there and then they began streaming down your face. He thought for a second and asked if you were sad because Pluto felt left out and was sad, and you said “Yeah”. Then he reassured you that it was ok and reminded you that at the end of the show, they told Pluto they loved him and that he was their “best dog” and gave him big hugs, etc. You said, “OK”. Then you wiped your little tears and were fine.

I about fell over. My heart ached for you when Daddy told me this. I have never known a child who had this much empathy for others, this early in life. I even called Lao Lao to ask her if this was a bit early to be showing this level of emotional development and she agreed it was very unusual. We also both agreed that as hard as it is to be an emotional person, it can also be very healthy too. Nearly everyone in our family is emotional and passionate, so it’s fitting that you are too. Of course, I bet we’ll be in for a wild ride during your teen years if you’re anything like me. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Just wanted to share this with you sweetie. I know I found it fascinating, to say the least. Once again, you always find new and marvelous ways to amaze us.

Love,
Mama